Cable valve for oil wells



Oct. 16, 1934. T. A' BRQWN CABLE VALVE FOR OIL WELLS 1930 2 Sheets-Sheetl Filed Oct. l5

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1934. T. A. BROWN 4CABLE VALVE FOR OIL WELLSINVENTOR Patented Oct. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CABLE VALVEFOR OIL WELLS Tony A. Brown, Torrance, Calif., assignor of one tenth toEdward M Christepher, Torrance,

Hollywood, Calif.

Application October 15, 1930, Serial No. 488,927

3 Claims.

This invention relates to well drilling apparatus and has for an objectthe provision of means for closing the passage through a well casing inthe event of fire, the closing means also serving to grip tools of anycharacter within the casing sufliciently close to shut off the well, orto shut off the well vwith no tools or other objects in the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for the release ofpressure when the casing is closed, and to provide for the removal oftools.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includesthe following novel features and details of construction, to behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of a well casingwith the invention applied.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the compressible member with parts shown insection.

.Figure 4 is a bottom view of the same.

Figure 5 is a top plan view.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of referencedenote corresponding parts, the reference character l0 indicates a wellcasing which is interrupted at the top or adjacent the top with the endsadjacent the interrupted portion connected by an auxiliary casing 11.

The casing 11 is detachably secured to the well casing and for thispurpose the invention provides reducer members 12 and 13. These members12 and 13 are connected to opposite ends of the auxiliary casing 11 and.are also connected to collars 14 carried by the casing 10.

The auxiliary casing 11 is of relatively large diameter and provides achamber 15 whose opposite ends are in communication with the casing 10.This chamber 15 accommodates a ilexible member 16 whose lower anged end17 is seated within the reducer 13. The reducer 13 is provided with alead or other suitable filling 18. The opposite end of the member 16 isprovided with a cap 19 and each end of the passage 20 which extendsthrough said member is counterbored as at 21 to receive the adjacentends of the casing 10. A continuous passage is thus provided through thecasing and the member 16.

The member 16 is formed of a number of spaced parallel lengths of cable-22, arranged substantially as shown in the drawings. A plurality oflengths of cables are employed, and each length is bent upon itself toprovide spaced parallel strands extending in a direction from theopening of the core 20 to the periphery of the core. These cable lengthsare embedded in a lead binder 23 which is of a flexible character, andas the cable lengths 22 are likewise flexible, the walls of the member16 may be ilexed. One of the ends of the cable lengths is bent over asshown at 24 and secured tothe cap 19.

The auxiliary casing 11 is provided with an annular recess 25 andlocated withinl this recess and extending around the member 16 is acable 26. The ends of this cable extend through an opening 27 providedin the casing l1 and these ends may extend some distance from the wellfor pulling, or they may be pulled by the drilling power at the well. Ifdesired, both methods may be utilized.

A pull upon the cable 26 as indicated by the.

arrows in Figure 2 of the drawings, will contract and ex the exiblemember 16 so as to close the passage therethrough. Tools or otherobjects of any character within the casing will be gripped, and flowthrough the well will be cut 01T. Pressure within the well may berelieved by a pipe 28 which communicates with the casing 10. A gatevalve 29 is provided in the casing through the reducer 13, so that thewell may be entirely shut off and tools removed.

When the cable 26 is tightened to close the well, the upper end of theilexible member 16 will be pulled inward and downward, while thatportion of the flexible member adjacent the cable 26 acts to shut olfpressure from the well.

To release a tool or bit, slack the cable slightly and draw the toolsupward, the gate valve 29 having been previously closed.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved tomake such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention what is claimed iszl. A casing valvecomprising a sectional housing adapted to be connected to a casing, aflexible core in said housing including spaced lengths of cables withone end of each length of cable connected exteriorly of the core, andmeans for flexing the walls of the core to shut off the flowtherethrough.

2. A casing valve comprising a sectional housing adapted to be connectedto a casing, a flexible Core in One section of the housing and includingwithin said section, and means disposed within said annular recess andcompletely encircling the core for flexing the walls of the core to shutoi the flow therethrough, said last mentioned means having portionsthereof extending through the opening of the housing and in oppositedirections with respect to each other.

TONY A. BROWN.

